8 Movies I’m Looking Forward to In December

2015 has been full of incredible titles; Cinderella, Ex Machina, Mad Max: Fury Road, Inside Out, Ant-Man, The Martian, Sicario, Creed and many, many more. Although we’ve been given films that have given us all kinds of joy, happiness, sadness, excitement, horror or whatever else, 2015 has definitely saved the best for last.

By now, we’re all clearly aware that a little thing called Star Wars: The Force Awakens is opening. If you don’t, then I’d recommend getting out more… But other than the biggest movie the galaxy has ever seen, December features some names that will have movie theaters everywhere rocking. Here are the eight movies I’m looking forward to the most in December:

8. Concussion

Synopsis: In Pittsburgh, accomplished pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu uncovers the truth about brain damage in football players who suffer repeated concussions in the course of normal play.

This is the kind of role that Will Smith always has and always will excel at, which makes it pretty exciting. Not only that, but it’s about one of the hottest sport topics on the planet right now, football related head trauma. Whether you agree with it or not, Concussion definitely looks to open the public’s eye on something that has created major issues.

Concussion hits December 25th, 2015.

7. Point Break (2015)

Synopsis: A young FBI agent infiltrates an extraordinary team of extreme sports athletes he suspects of masterminding a string of unprecedented, sophisticated corporate heists.

The original Point Break is one of the most fun and entertaining movies of the last few decades, one that still holds up today. Now when I had heard that a remake of the movie was coming, I’ll admit that I was a bit skeptical. But following its first trailer, that slowly started to go out the window. I wouldn’t call it a remake because of how different it’s trying to be; bigger and much more extreme. It will definitely feature elements that the original did, but I applaud it for trying to be its own movie.

Point Break (2015) opens December 25th, 2015.

6. Joy

Synopsis: Joy is the story of a family across four generations and the woman who rises to become founder and matriarch of a powerful family business dynasty.

You may be wondering why this film isn’t higher up on my list. First, look at all the completion… Second, because it’s another dramedy from David O Russell starring Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro (again), it honestly doesn’t get me all that pumped. I know exactly what I’m going to get, I’ve seen it twice before in the last three years.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be heading out to see it just like everyone else, but I want to see something new and different from this group. Russell and this cast make fantastic films, they do, but I’m not looking for the same thing over and over and over again.

Joy opens December 25th, 2015.

5. The Hateful Eight

Synopsis: In post-Civil War Wyoming, bounty hunters try to find shelter during a blizzard but get involved in a plot of betrayal and deception. Will they survive?

Quentin Tarantino is unlike any director on the planet, possibly ever. What he’s able to do with stories and characters is just masterful. But, I haven’t been blown away with everything I’ve seen from him in the past. Sometimes, his style just doesn’t fit what I like, it doesn’t always appeal to me. This film is probably going to rock and just kick major ass, but I won’t be going in with all kinds of excitement like some will.

The Hateful Eight has a December 25th, 2015 release date.

4. The Big Short

Synopsis: Four outsiders in the world of high-finance who predicted the credit and housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000s decide to take on the big banks for their lack of foresight and greed.

It’s not Martin Scorsese and isn’t starring the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, but The Big Short has some major similarities to The Wolf of Wall Street. It doesn’t look as outrageous or bold or crazy, but it has that kind of feel to it. And that’s exactly what I want during the Christmas season. Adam McKay, Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt, I’m so in.

The Big Short has a limited December 11th and wide December 25th, 2015 release.

3. The Revenant

Synopsis: In the 1820s, a frontiersman, Hugh Glass, sets out on a path of vengeance against those who left him for dead after a bear mauling.

Following Birdman last year, I’ve been tracking Alejandro González Iñárritu’s next move like a hawk. And the fact that it stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy and others in one fascinating story based on true events, how can I not be this excited? Have you seen its trailers? It’s freaking nuts how unbelievable this film looks. Can you smell that? Smells like the Oscars.

The Revenant has a limited December 25th, 2015 and wide January 8th, 2016 release.

2. In the Heart of the Sea

Synopsis: Based on the 1820 event, a whaling ship is preyed upon by a sperm whale, stranding its crew at sea for 90 days, thousands of miles from home.

I’ve been waiting over a year for this puppy. It’s first trailer debuted over a year because it was originally slated for a March release date, but because of how good it looked to the studio and the confidence they felt, it was pushed back to this month to give it a shot at some awards. If I was excited for it then, how can I not be now? Ron Howard is one of my all-time favorite directors and Chris Hemsworth is steadily moving up my list of favorite actors. Not only that, but the last time they worked together the golden child of Rush popped out, and I gave that a 9.5/10. So yeah, it’s safe to say I’m f**king stoked for this one.

In the Heart of the Sea splashes into theaters on December 11th, 2015.

1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Synopsis: unknown.

Star wars. Let me repeat that: STAR. WARS. Enough said.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens lands in a galaxy near you on December 18th, 2015.

I don’t do much bragging, but I must say that that’s a pretty solid list. The number of films being cranked out this month is crazy, but that’s a really good thing for us movie fans. It should definitely be a remarkable finish to 2015.

What film are you looking forward to the most this month? Make sure to jump in the comments section and one, let me know what you think of my list, and two, let me know what movies you’re most excited for this month.